<p>The old PM career playbook doesn’t work in the AI era. In this episode of The Skip, we lay out a new career framework for product managers, and it’s a lot more “choose your door” than “climb the ladder.” If you’re wondering whether to stay in big tech, jump to an AI startup, double down as a builder, or rethink your whole path, this one’s for you. We talk about why your hard-won product intuition is quietly becoming obsolete, why some ex-VPs are happily taking senior IC roles, and how to prepare for what’s coming next.</p><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><p>• Why your product intuition is outdated — and how to “go back to school” without quitting your job</p><p>• Why company quality now matters more than your title, comp band, or level</p><p>• What elite AI companies are actually looking for in PMs</p><p>• The builder vs factory mindset: are you obsessed with the product, or with the machine that ships it?</p><p>• How to choose between Big Tech, hot AI startups, healthy growth companies, or founding</p><p>• A three-part reality check on constraints: compensation, location, and pace</p><p>• The truth about 9–9–6 and AI startups: when extreme pace is worth it, and when it’s just branding</p><p>• Why “coasting” in big tech is mostly a myth</p><p>• Remote vs hub tradeoffs: what you gain and lose by moving to SF or NYC</p><p>• Why this is Part 1 — and what we’ll go deeper on next in the PM Career Framework for AI series</p><p><strong>Where to find Nikhyl:</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/nikhyl">Twitter/X</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhyl/">LinkedIn</a></p><p><strong>Where to find Carly:</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlymalatskey">LinkedIn</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sheleadspod.com/">She Leads Podcast</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/carlymalatskey">Twitter/X</a></p><p><strong>Join The Skip:</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://skip.coach/">Skip Coach</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://skip.community/">Skip Community</a></p><p><strong>Find The Skip:</strong></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skip.community/">Website</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://theskip.substack.com/">Substack</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@theskippodcast">YouTube</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4oT2rxMsRP64h9NXuA11DJ">Spotify</a></p><p>• <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skip-podcast/id1663529202">Apple Podcasts</a></p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>(00:53) Why the PM career framework needs to be rewritten for AI</p><p>(03:35) Why ex-VPs are happily taking senior IC roles</p><p>(06:07) Why your current product intuition is becoming obsolete</p><p>(11:46) Why AI-first companies only want hands-on PMs</p><p>(14:40) How to choose between Big Tech, AI startups, growth companies, or founding</p><p>(18:06) How to actually upgrade your product intuition on the job</p><p>(25:13) What’s really happening with PM compensation in 2025</p><p>(33:46) Why true AI startups are rarely remote-first</p><p>(42:42) What 9–9–6 culture at AI companies actually looks like</p><p>(50:52) The myth of work–life balance in growth environments</p><p>(55:40) The builder vs factory mindset</p><p>(60:29) Are you obsessed with the product or the factory that ships it?</p><p>(67:11) The key takeaway for PMs making career moves in 2025</p><p>Don't forget to subscribe to The Skip to hear me coach you through timely career lessons. If you’re interested in joining me on a future call, send me a note on LinkedIn, Threads, or Twitter. You can also email me at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://theskip.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">theskip.substack.com</a>